Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan Deepen Strategic Ties

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan agreed to deepen their strategic partnership and increase bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2030 during President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's state visit to Tashkent on 23–24 August. Aliyev and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a Treaty on Eternal Friendship, building on their 2024 Treaty on Allied Relations, and launched new joint projects in sectors including energy, banking, mining and tourism. The two countries also agreed to expand transport cooperation through the Middle Corridor, including by increasing Trans-Caspian freight, developing logistics infrastructure and advancing plans for a joint Caspian shipping fleet. Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are additionally pursuing energy and investment cooperation, including through their $500 million joint investment company and, together with Kazakhstan, the development of a green energy corridor across the Caspian. Aliyev has described the rapidly expanding relationship as part of Azerbaijan's broader integration with Central Asia, arguing that the region's traditional "C5" framework is increasingly evolving into a "C6" with Azerbaijan's participation. The two leaders also stated their interest in increasing bilateral trade to $1B by 2030.

Sources: Euronews, kun.uz

Turkmenistan Sells Diesel on External Market for $1.44 Million

The sale of desulfurized diesel fraction was conducted between the state-owned Turkmenhimiya and Afghan and Emirati entrepreneurs, Turkmenistan's state media reported on Friday. The volume of diesel outlined in the agreement has not been publicized. The sale occurred a few weeks after an internal diesel shortage was reported within Turkmenistan. 

Sources: Ariana News, Turkmengaz, Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan Expects to Fully Cover Domestic Electricity Demand in 2027

Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry expects to fully cover domestic electricity demand by the first quarter of 2027 and produce a surplus of 1.3 billion kWh. However, that excess is about 1% of Kazakhstan’s electricity consumption in 2025, and demand is growing rapidly. This statement comes as a special commission seeks to understand the cause of a large outage affecting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan on August 14. Power consumption is at record highs as extreme heat scorches the region, a trend expected to intensify in the coming decades under climate change.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

Politics and Security

Kazakhstan and Finland Discuss Solutions to Environmental Concerns

Officials from Kazakhstan and Finland met in Astana to discuss a future project aimed at preserving the Caspian Sea. If accepted by Kazakhstan, the project, spearheaded by the Finnish company Lamor Corporation, would be implemented within the framework of the EU’s Global Gateway program. The project would monitor environmental degradation and oil spills and focus on restoring the ecosystem. Kazakhstan and Finland are also considering other public-private partnerships, which would focus on forestry and water treatment.  

Source: Trend

Kazakhstan's Adilet Party Wins Majority in Kurultai Preliminary Results

On Sunday, August 23, over 70% of Kazakhstani citizens voted for the pro-government Adilet Party in preliminary elections for the Kurultai, Kazakhstan's new unicameral parliament. The Kurultai, which replaced the previous bicameral system, is a product of President Tokayev's new July 2026 constitution. The current iteration of the Adilet Party, meaning Justice, was formed earlier this year through a merger with another government-aligned party, Amanat. Given the preliminary results, Adilet will likely take 111 of the Kurultai's 145 seats.

Source: BBC, Radio Freedom, Interfax, Astana Times

Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Visits Ashgabat

Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin met with his Turkmen counterparts during a visit to Turkmenistan’s capital, where the two parties signed a new plan on cooperation for 2027-2028. Muhriddin was also received by Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Both officials were optimistic about efforts to expand energy cooperation and cultural exchanges. 

Sources: Kazinform, gov.tm